The

Messenger

The Newsletter of the Saugerties United Methodist Church

Church Office # 845-246-7802                                                              Dr. Buddle’s Cell Phone # 1-845-706-0418

         “Do not judge, so that you may not be judged. For with the measure you give will be the measure you get.” Matthew 7: 1-2

“Grumble...Grumble...Grumble”

            The subject for our newsletter article is something near and dear to my heart for I do it all the time and I believe it is something that many of us practice each day, many times without thinking. The subject is “Grumbling.”

            It is an interesting subject because there are many aspects to it. Grumbling can mean discontent, unhappiness with something or someone, discouragement, down right anger at life. Usually we grumble about other people and their stupidity. Grumbling can be elevated to a sport and I think I have done that as I have gotten rather good at it after 64 years of life.

            Now am I all alone in this or are there two or three others out there who have become rather proficient in this art of grumbling? My guess is that I have lots of company in this. What do you like to grumble about? I grumble about my typewriter, my computer, my parishioners, my fellow workers, my church officers, my family, my cat, my colleagues, stupid drivers which includes everyone else but not me, the bills, the price of gas, taxes and on and on you get the idea. You name it and I have grumbled (complained) about it.

            What do we get out of it? Does it make us feel better to find fault with others or with life itself? Now...as much fun as it is to grumble (complain) there is not much fun found in being around a grumbler (complainer) as they list all the things that are wrong with the world and everyone in it. Talk shows on t.v. grumble about everyone in government and other areas and we tune in to listen to the discontent. If we don’t agree with the viewpoint of the program we just change channels, but you can’t do that with your spouse or other family members who are grumbling about things. (It’s too bad people aren’t like t.v. channels that can be changed easily) These people, those who are grumblers (like me) are no fun to be around on a prolonged basis.

For all you wives out there...I have a theory of why men grumble. My theory is: THEY WANT TO BE HEARD (In other words we are looking for sympathy). If you respond with words of encouragement, it should make a difference. As to why we (man and women) grumble (complain) is that we expect things to go our way. We expect life to be easy. We expect everyone to do their job and to do it well, we expect that all drivers will be good drivers and on and on. Is any of this realistic? I have my answer and that is no. The world and that includes people are imperfect beings and we will always have things that are not to my liking or your liking.

Charles Spurgeon writes “Cultivate forbearance till your heart yields a fine crop of it. Pray for a short memory as to all unkindnesses.” This is where our beliefs come in. How tolerant are you of others? Do you see them as human beings in their own right who do not have to measure up to your standard?

Only through prayer can we build up tolerance remembering how tolerant God is of us and how forgiving He is. If that is true of us, it is true of others that God offers them the same. Now to the scripture on the newsletter from the seventh chapter of Matthew regarding judging. These are red letter words (the Word of Jesus) telling us not to judge. If we grumble about others we cannot do it without judging them so we have violated one of the really BIG concepts of our religion.

Psychologists tell us by judging others and putting others down we endeavor to elevate ourselves so that we can feel better about who we are as persons. The strange thing is that we certainly want others to measure up to the standards that we set while failing to reach the same standards ourselves.

We grumble, complain, judge because we are weak human beings. Accept your short-comings and mine and let us try to do better accepting others and the events that take place in our lives.

The opposite of grumble is praise and think of how people around us would react if we praised what they did. Above all else we need to praise God for His tolerance & patience with us. The psalmist writes “Praise the Lord! Sing to the Lord a new song.” (Psalm 149:1)

                                                Your Pastor,

                                                Duane D. Buddle

Sermon Snapshots

March 1 - Ash Wednesday Sermon “God’s Plan For The World” Isaiah 40: 1-11

People have always been planning what they will do for and with the world. Some of these have been good; others silly and worthless and evil. We, however, must be interested in God’s plan for the world for He is all-wise, all-powerful, all-loving and merciful. He has a plan or purpose for the governing of the world, and His plan will be finished.

His plan, his purpose is to restore all creation. Paul tells us that the whole world groans waiting for the redemption of our body (see Romans 8:22-23). What is the matter with this world? It is mad, insane, dead in trespasses and sins? Will God leave this world in such a mess? No! He has a merciful purpose for this world. Paul writes in the text Ephesians 1:10 “as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things to him, things in heaven and earth.” This plan can be summed up in three headings; 1. Christ on the cross redeeming a world lost in sin; 2. Christ in the heart, regenerating it and cleansing it; 3. Christ on the throne, reigning and ruling the world. Tonight we will look at these three.

March 12 - “In Jesus’ Name”

                    John 15:1-17, 16:16-24

Today I wish to turn our attention to the matter of prayer Jesus said “Truly, truly, I say to you, if you ask anything of the Father...” Our Lord seems to leave nothing outside the scope of prayer. But prayer is more than a mere asking for the fulfillment of our desires. While it is true that nothing is outside the scope of prayer we must realize that Christian prayer more than anything else, is communion with the true God that we come Sunday after Sunday to worship. This leads me to a phrase used over and over again in the New Testament about prayer; “In Jesus’ Name.” In other words, the basic context of prayer is revealed in the way we are related to God as persons. The phrase “in my name” refers to the way we know God in Christ and also has meaning for the way we have come to understand ourselves in Jesus Christ. And the way to come to understand ourselves is only valid in the basis of the way God has revealed Himself to us in Christ. We become aware through prayer that God has sought us and found us. Prayer is our response to God and an honest facing of oneself in the presence of God. To try to hide anything from God is a sheer waste of time. To pray is to go to the depths of your feelings about God and the circumstances of your life. The hymn writer (hymn 341 in our hymnal) has written “I sought the Lord and afterward I knew he moved my soul to seek him, seeking me. It was not I that found, O Savior true; no, I was found of thee.”

If we pray at all, it is good. If we pray without feeling it is expected of us, this is better for this will lead to an ordering of life and focusing on the purpose of God. In response to God’s love we are called to pray and through the presence of the Holy Spirit we are provided with the basis of communion.

March 19 - “An Open Letter” II Cor. 2:14- 3:3

Paul wrote that your life is an open letter to be known and read by all people. If we take these words seriously, they can have a profound significance for our lives. Your life, someone has said, may be the only Bible that some may read. If our lives are open letters to be read by all, how well do they read? What kind of message do people see when they look at the pages of our lives? Is it worth reading? What is the message that should be there when our letters are known and read by others? Paul said on one occasion “I bear in my body the imprinted message of Jesus written that all people may read.” He was using a figure of speech from slavery. He was saying that the marks in his flesh said that he was a servant of Christ, and none other.

How does His message get in our hearts? Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit says the Lord. Christians still exist in the world today, not because of human determination or basic goodness or talents or intuition but because God has made living letters of people of all generation. People know Christ today not only because he lived, suffered and died years ago, but because He lives in the hearts of people today.

March 26 - “What We Learn From Suffering

                     Job 2: 11b-13; James 5: 7-11

All of us have had moments when it seemed that our world had tumbled in. Most of us have had the sad experience of standing beside a grave as the body of one that we love is lowered from our sight or stood beside the bedside of a child and watched helplessly as disease racks the child with fever and pain. We have seen the innocent become the victims of injustice. The question WHY? is poised on our lips or hidden deeply within our hearts. We want to know what meaning, if any, lies within or hidden deeply within the suffering that draws us into its grasp. We want to know that unless our Christian faith can deal with this problem of suffering it fails humankind at one of the points of our greatest need.

Our search for answers must be undertaken reverently. There are no easy answers. Our faith can bring comfort to ourselves and others as we look at this great human mystery.

     1. God has made a universe that operates according to certain fixed laws. When those laws are broken we experience suffering.

     2. As human beings we are all related to each other and there are many examples of inhuman treatment of people on other people.

     3. Human free will is a third source of suffering. Sometimes the choices we make bring times of suffering to us.

     However, there is suffering that comes with no explanation at all.

An important lesson to be learned from suffering is how we react to it. Feeling sorry and having self pity causes us harm. Becoming resentful makes us bitter.

What resources do we have to deal and learn from suffering then? First we learn that suffering is not a sign of God’s displeasure. Look at Jesus as we go deeper into this Lenten experience. He was the highest example of goodness but he suffered. Look at the Apostle Paul as he endured his suffering. We may not be able to explain suffering but we do know that God uses our suffering to grow even though he loves us. Secondly, as we come to our Lord in humble faith and as we look at the cross, we become aware that suffering can be redemptive. Thirdly, is the knowledge that we do not have to carry our burdens alone. He has promised “I will not leave you comfortless, but I will come to you.” The fourth lesson is that suffering is temporary. Remember that after the cross came the resurrection.

Let us dedicate our sufferings to God and let him work out his purposes in us and through us.

2006 Lenten Services

Our Theme this year is the Beatitudes of Jesus. The services will be held at 7:00 p.m.:

March 5th -  The Promise of Those Who Mourn

Saugerties Reformed Church

March 12th - The  Promise of Inheritance

The Rummage Sale is Coming

The rummage sale is scheduled for Friday, March 10, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday, March 11, from 9 a.m. to 12:00 (noon) in the Fellowship Hall. Saturday will be a bag sale – all you can get in a large paper bag for $1. If you have clothing, household goods, toys, sporting goods, or books that you would like to donate, you may leave them in the boy scout room in the basement. Starting March 5, you may leave items in the Fellowship Hall.

We will be setting up for the sale after church on March 5. A light lunch will be provided, but donations of food would be appreciated.

We will be sorting and pricing items during that week. A schedule will be announced in church. Any help with the rummage sale will be appreciated. And, of course, we will need help with clean up at 12:00 on Saturday. Also, we could use donations of the large paper bags for the bag sale on Saturday.

                                                Joan Robinson

Sunday School News

Thanks to everyone who contributed to the success of our cake walk. We will continue to give the children information about the Children’s Home in Binghamton, NY so the children understand how their money is being used.

Our Lenten Tree: During Lent, the Sunday School will decorate a tree to symbolize the season and give Lent more meaning for the children. Each week one class will put a special decoration on the tree. The schedule of the classes is as follows:

            March 5– K, 1^st & 2^nd Grades

            March 12– Nursery

            March 19– Nursery & High School

            March 26– 5^th & 6^th Grades

            April 2– 3^rd & 4^th Grades

            April 9– Jr. High

            April 16– Easter (no Sunday School)

The church bulletin will carry specific information about the symbol used to decorate the tree for that week.

                        Joan Robinson and Karin Squires

                        Your Superintendents

From your Worship Committee

Our teddy bears are traveling! They are leaving our sanctuary to minister to fellow members of our congregation, family, and friends. Velma Wright recently shared the comfort her bear brought during her recuperation. Our teddy bears have also gone to Barbara & Paul Woersten and Austin Sokoll, "bearing" the good wishes of our church family. If you know of someone in need of comfort, feel free to bring them a teddy bear. They can be found in the back of our sanctuary, beneath the stained glass window. Jot down your name and its destination on the chart located alongside the bears. If you are able to donate a new teddy bear, please leave it in the mailbox outside of our church office so it can receive its special tag.

There is an on-going need for greeters and altar flower donation. You can sign up for both in the narthex. Next month, we will be ordering Easter Lillies for our altar. They are a lovely way to honor or remember someone special, and they really beautify our altar at Easter. Watch for ordering information in future church bulletins.

In order to make our worship services more accessible and enjoyable to all, our committee is considering a few accommodations. We are investigating infra-red hearing assist devices for the hearing impaired. We are also thinking of ways to make our church service accessible to new mothers and fathers. While a soundproof "crying room" is cost-prohibitive, speakers located near the sofa in the lobby or the lounge are a possibility. This would allow a parent to feed or soothe a little one and still hear the church service. The committee would appreciate feedback on these two ideas. Please see any one of us--Karen Byrne, Diane Lisle, Gerry Rosenberger, Karin Squires. Joan Robinson, Matt Jones or Rev. Buddle --with your input.

One last note--the Church Directory has been submitted to Olan Mills for publication and should be completed in a few weeks. Thanks for your patience!

                        Karen Byrne

                        Worship Committee Chairman

picked up in Kingston the second

 Monday of each month at around 8:30 a.m.
Only two people can help at this time.

CAN YOU HELP? See Pastor.

  7/ 1985 - Carl Travis

10/ 1994 - Andrew Mentz

15/ 1994 - Joshua Kopycinski

15/ 1945 - Joan Robinson

18/ 1975 - Michele Travis

24/ 1990 - Teryn Squires

   20/ 1956 - Dee & Geo Gilmore 

Annual Catskill Hudson District Workshop Training Day

Saturday, March 25, 2006

9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.

Federated Church of Kerhonkson

42^nd Street, Kerhonkson, New York

 845-626-8160There is no cost for this event.

Lunch available at the church (free will offering)

Workshop Descriptions

(You will choose two workshops – one to attend in the morning, and one in the afternoon. Each workshop will be 90 minutes.)

#1 Prayer Within and For the Church

Have you ever wished to have your church PRAYED FOR just before a significant meeting? Has anyone ever asked you to “pray a space” before an event? We will share some ways to pray for these circumstances and others.

#2 Youth Ministry: Beyond the Numbers

Across our Conference, hundreds of teenagers aren’t being ministered to because individually “we don’t have enough kids to have a youth program.” This workshop will take on two big questions: “What Can I Do With Only Three Kids?” and “Who is Your Youth Ministry for, Anyway?

# 3 Earthkeeping Circle Workshop

An Earthkeeping Circle (ideally at least 12 members) meets once a month with 2 study items: 1)The Bible and Nature and 2)Our Bioregion and Its Natural Landscape. This workshop will illustrate the agenda of an Earthkeeping Circle and provide materials.

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# 4 The Role of the Church Treasurer

The purpose of this workshop is to review (for existing treasurers) and to explain (for new treasurers) the responsibilities of the job of Church Treasurer.

# 5 What’s Your Question? Answers for PPRC’s

To clarify and define the role of the Pastor Parish Relations Committee.

# 6 An Overview of Lay Speaking Ministries

Lay Speakers are individuals called to share their witness, leadership and service in the General Ministries of the Church. Learn how you can become a part of this vital ministry that enhances congregational and community involvement

#7 Tools for An Informed Church

Resources of the Conference Learning Center are a phone call away. Hear, see and touch many of the latest additions to the Learning Center in White Plains.

# 8 Catskill Hudson United Methodist Women: Women of Shalom

Have you been asked to prepare a program or worship service for your UMW meeting next month? Instead of fretting or worrying, join us at the Catskill Hudson District Workshop Training Day

# 9 What Does It Mean to Be United Methodist?

Let’s explore some frequently asked questions about United Methodism and United Methodists. We’ll take a quick trip through our history.

#10 Children’s Ministry: Sunday School and Beyond

This workshop will cover a variety of topics from Sunday School teacher recruitment, curriculum options, classroom activities, teaching techniques, learning styles, and ideas for Lent.

REGISTRATION

(DEADLINE TO REGISTER: March 15th)

(Choose two workshops. You may mail this registration form to the District Office (Dru Chatterton, 71 Van Dale Rd., Woodstock, New York 12498). You may email your choices to the District Office cathudnyac@aol.com or you may call the District Office with your choices (845-679-6350). You may also fax your registration form if you call us first to turn on the machine (845-679-5692). Your registration will be confirmed by phone, mail or email.

If the confirmation is not forthcoming, contact us. (there is always the possibility that we did not receive your registration).

Catskill Hudson District Workshop Training Day – Saturday, March 25^th

9:30 am – 2:30 p.m. Federated Church of Kerhonkson, Kerhonkson, NY

Name_____________________________________ Phone___________________

Address______________________________ Email _____________________

Name of Church____________________________

My choices are __#________ and __#______ Third choice in case of overflow_#___

                  REGISTRATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY March 15^th

_____I would like to have lunch at the event (free will offering). My choice of menu

          is the following: ____ Meatloaf, baked potato and corn

                                                ____ Vegetable Lasagna, Tossed Salad

_____I will need childcare (please indicate names of children and their ages)

_____I am disabled and will need my workshops to be in the firehouse near the

          church where the registration, opening worship and the lunch will also be

          held. (please register ASAP or by March 10th so that we may try to

          accommodate your workshop choices)

   Directions to Federated Church of Kerhonkson (845-626-8160)

Kerhonkson is on Rt. 209. It’s 15 miles north of Ellenville. (20 minutes on 209 South from the Kingston Traffic Circle.) Once in Kerhonkson, turn left at the only traffic light if coming from the north, and right if coming from the south. Church is on the left. Go to the firehouse first, to check-in, have coffee and attend Opening Worship. To get to the firehouse, pass the church, go over a small bridge and turn left. The firehouse is set back on the left. (Walking distance from the church). There will be signs and people to direct you.

CONTACT DISTRICT OFFICE IF YOU NEED FURTHER DIRECTIONS TO THE CHURCH (from other locations) Detailed directions can be sent to you.